With 4.5 million cruise vacationers per year and a fleet of 24 ships, Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival.com) is the largest cruise line in the world. Carnival is known for being family friendly, but services for infants are limited. Before packing up your little traveler, consider how you want to spend your vacation time, the items you will need on board and the added cost of a "baby on board" cruise.

Age Policies

Carnival restricts cruise travel to infants 6 months or older. On cruises to Hawaii, South America or the Transatlantic, infants must be at least 1 year old.

Fares

The fare for an infant traveler is the same as an adult cruise fare. If you book your cruise with airfare included, children from 6 to 23 months will not be charged if the infant sits on the parent's lap while on the airline. On the bus ride from the airport to the cruise, infants and children younger than 2 years old will not be charged an airport transfer fare. The free airport transfer fare is limited to one infant per adult traveler.

Babysitting and Youth Programs

Unaccompanied infants and toddlers younger than 2 cannot participate in Camp Carnival, a kids-only program designed for preschool through teen travelers. During scheduled family play times, you can bring in your infant to a Camp Carnival room, but you must stay with the infant at all times. No in-stateroom babysitting services are available, but group babysitting services for children under 2 are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. for a fee. Babysitting services are also available during port days. Visit the onboard concierge to arrange for babysitting service. You must provide Carnival with diapers and wipes before dropping off your infant. You will be given a beeper or phone in case of an emergency.

Tips and Considerations

Infants in diapers or children who are not potty-trained may not swim in any of Carnival's swimming pools or water slide areas. Free stateroom cribs are available if you request the crib when you book your cruise. You can rent a stroller at any Camp Carnival event or activity. Bring baby food and formula with you on your cruise, as these items are not available onboard. Consider booking a room with a balcony for extra privacy. While your infant is napping, you can relax on the patio.

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About the Author

Leah Waldron is the head of Traveler Services at First Abroad, a gap year travel company based in Boston and London. As a travel, research and LGBT news writer, Waldron has publication credit on magazines and newspapers including "Curve Magazine," "USA Today," "The Sun Sentinel" and the "The Houston Chronicle." Waldron has a bachelor's and master's degree in creative writing from Florida State University.